Hello! I’m back today to talk about my February reads for the Buzzword Readathon! **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**
This is the second post in my “Buzzword-a-thon” series. In case you’re new here, Buzzword-a-thon is a read-a-thon originally created by Kayla at the YouTube channel booksandlala. It centers around readers choosing books that include specific words or ‘types’ of words. This year, all prompts were selected in advance and it’s been loosely hosted once a month. I’m making a yearly challenge for myself to at least read one book with the buzzword each month, and also include one recommendation and one anticipated read in my monthly post. The theme for February was to pick a book with a color in the title. I’m finding the months with a theme (and not necessarily a specific word) a lot easier to find on my shelves, so let’s talk about my February picks.
All Boys Aren’t Blue cover 
The Red Address Book cover 
The Black Veins cover
Read in February – All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
-Around the summer of last year, everyone was picking up All Boys Aren’t Blue, a YA memoir by George M. Johnson that recounts stories of their life highlighting the Black and queer experience. Since it fit perfectly for this prompt I decided to get the audiobook from my library (which is narrated by the author themself) and give it a listen. While it may only be a 5.5 hour audio, it was such a powerful story covering family, loss, trauma, friends, love, acceptance, freedom, expression, and power. It was tough to listen to at times, but it’s a narrative that needs to be told as these things can happen to anyone, no matter what age. George M. Johnson is a jounalist, consultant, and activist in Brooklyn, NY, and their way with words should truly inspire anyone to combat the prejudices experienced by minorities on a daily basis. I am trying to pick up more non-fiction this year, especially memoirs from individuals whose experiences differ vastly from mine, and All Boys Aren’t Blue is one I recommend for any audience, if you are willing and capable of hearing its message.
Recommendation – The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg
-Looking back through all the books I’ve read while tracking my progress, I stumbled upon The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg, which is an adult fiction novel originally published in Swedish and translated to English by Alice Menzies. It follows Doris, a 96-year-old woman who lives alone in a Stockholm apartment, who finds her red address book with the names of every person she’s come to know – most names are crossed off. She’s inspired to recount her past on paper, including (but not limited to) being a maid in Sweden, modeling in Paris, and fleeing to Manhattan before the beginning of World War II. These stories may help Jenny, Doris’s American grandneice and only remaining relative, unlock the keys to her past. I first encountered this book on BookishFirst, and found it through my library so I could review it on the site. I don’t particularly seek out historical fiction, but following Doris’ past through her flashbacks was engaging and easy to follow. I found the book to be a powerful story of a woman who did what she needed in her past in order to survive. It was a touching novel, and while I knew where it was going, the end still struck a chord. I don’t see many people mention The Red Address Book so I wanted to make it my recommendation (though I was very close to choosing Red, White & Royal Blue, because I can gush about that book all day)
-Other books I’ve read and talked about here on my blog that also fulfill this prompt: The House in the Cerulean Sea
Want to Read – The Black Veins by Ashia Monet
-And lastly, a book that I want to read with a color in the title would be The Black Veins, a YA urban fantasy novel that centers no love interest and a found family adventure. Sixteen-year-old Blythe works in her family’s coffe shop and is one of seven Guardians who are powerful enough to cause worldwide panic with a single snap. When her family is kidnapped by magician anarchists, she must embark on a journey to find the six remaining Guardians and save the ones she loves most. I mean, what about that synopsis doesn’t make me want to drop everything I’m currently reading and pick this up right now? It’s the first book in the Dead Magic series, so I might want to wait to hear more about the sequel before picking this up, but when I do I will be so prepared to embark on the queer found family adventure of my dreams.
In conclusion, I found a lot more books with a color in the title, which made my list a bit harder to narrow down. I am so glad I picked up All Boys Aren’t Blue for this month’s prompt, as it was an incredible memoir whose words and lessons will stick with me for a long time. I reall am enjoying this style of wrap up every month, so I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store!
Where to find all these books:
Bookshop: All Boys Aren’t Blue The Red Address Book The Black Veins
Amazon: All Boys Aren’t Blue The Red Address Book The Black Veins
Goodreads: All Boys Aren’t Blue The Red Address Book The Black Veins
Author’s sites: George M. Johnson Sofia Lundberg (Facebook) Ashia Monet (Twitter)
Thoughts About Things 